Southern Miss Professor Li to Serve on Region IV Health Equity Board

Dr. Mina Li, coordinator for health services and research at the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) at The University of Southern Mississippi, has been selected to serve on the Health Equity Board of Region IV of the Office of Minority Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The board works with community organizations and other private sector stakeholders to develop the National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities. As a board member, Li’s work and expertise, especially in the area of community health, will contribute to action that improve the health, safety and well being of communities in Region IV, which includes Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida.

Li joined IDS in June, working in the institute’s Jackson office. She coordinates IDS health and wellness programs and manages the statewide Mississippi Integrated Community Systems for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs project funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

She also oversees the Tobacco Control Strategies for Mississippians with Disabilities project funded by the Office of Tobacco Control with the Mississippi State Department of Health and contributes to the Family to Family Health Information Center and Education Center. In addition to program management, Li has responsibility for developing a health research effort at the institute.

“We are happy to have Dr. Li join our management team at the institute,” said Dr. Royal Walker, IDS executive director. “She will have a significant impact on building and implementing a health agenda for people with disabilities and their families both in programs and research.”

Before joining IDS, Li worked for 16 years with the Mississippi State Department of Health in public health service, program management, and community outreach as division director of the Public Health Laboratory, director of the Cancer Control Division and director of the Comprehensive Cancer Control Program.

Trained as a medical doctor, Li holds a doctorate from Jackson State University. She is a certified public manager.